I've read many opinions regarding the necessity of properly resuscitating an engine that has sat IDLE for a long period of time. Is this to minimize excessive damage so that said motor can be properly 'rebuilt'. I just watched today fburger/Finnegan(raodkill) bring to life a 1969 Cleveland 351 with nothing more than a clean fuel system, new plugs and an oil/filter change(no marvelmysteryoilinthecylindersfirst). Was this exercise what one really shouldn't do in this situation? Or is it they don't effen care, a new bullet is just a button click away?
If you know the engine is freed up then no real need to marvel mystery oil the cylinders.
Also remember that this was in the desertish part of Colorado. Fairly dry air and it even had the hood on over the open carb. In a more humid area there's much more chance of the rings being rusted to the cylinders. Consider that they were not breaking off bolts on a 48 year old car and here in the Northeast I'd bet against that on a 10 year old car. I assume they turned the motor at some point early in their work even if it wasn't shown.
As I understand it with an old pushrod V8 that sat for decades but still turns smooth the primary concern with just changing the oil, filling the filter with oil, and starting it is the cam might not have any oil left on it, so rev it for a while immediately after it catches and builds oil pressure (so the cranks slings plenty of oil onto the cam). If the cam gets hurt by the dry start it will wipe a lobe quickly and you'll be rebuilding the engine. OTOH pulling it apart far enough to ensure that doesn't happen is halfway to completely tearing it down for a quick refresh.
and also like you say If they ruin the engine a new one is only a button click away. not the same for Po' folks.
